Nicole and Natalie Albino are twin sisters who make up the hip-hop duo Nina Sky. The Queens, NY natives have been making dope beats and spitting sick raps since 2004. You might remember their chart-topping reggaeton single “Move Ya Body” from way back when, but they’ve changed things up a bit since then. Their latest album Nicole & Natalie still holds strong to their R&B roots but sounds a bit more like Euro-dance-pop. This past Thursday, the ladies brought the party to 285 Kent, where fans rolled out to hear the hits, old and new.
Kicking off the set with the more chill, but amazingly written and produced “Heartbeat,” Nina Sky got the crowd dancing immediately. The track from the new album stands strong as a reflection on a relationship that just couldn’t work. The chorus reads as an I’m-better-now-that-I’ve-moved-on letter to an ex, as the ladies’ vocals soar across “I feel my heartbeat now/ I can feel my heart beating again.”
The sisters didn’t neglect old favorites, either. They really got the audience going with their 2009 hit “On Some Bullshit,” a snarkier response to an old flame who’s been talkin’ smack. Natalie gave the opening slap, “Passing me by, remember when I used to give you some time/ I can’t deny, you were important for a very small time,” while Nicole delivered a fiery rap toward the end. Next up was the appropriate “Beautiful People,” a club banger about being stood up one too many times. Nina Sky was sure to point out the beautiful people (the crowd, of course) during the catchy chorus, “I’ma dance till the morning, I’m not waiting up for you/ Boy I’m turning off my phone tonight…I’ma party with my beautiful people/ You beautiful people.” It was a particularly apt song choice, as the show went into the late hours of the night on a Thursday, and the crowd was still dancin’ away after their set ended. And of course, the two pleased the audience with the vivacious, reggae-fused jam “Move Ya Body,” off of their self-titled premiere album from 2004.
The highlight of the night came with “Day Dreaming” from Nicole & Natalie. The song truly showcases the twins’ mature vocals and original songwriting. With sad, soulful lyrics like, “I wanna make sure we meet later in my dreams/ Even though you’re not the one laying with me,” fans sang the slower jam back with vigor.
My favorite thing about Nina Sky is that the twins really are best friends who have tons of fun on stage together. Their energy is contagious and I dare you to see them live and not move ya body!
Stream Nina Sky’s latest album Nicole & Natalie here and check out upcoming tour dates over here!
Photos via mtviggy.com, NinaSkyHigh.com, and the author herself.
